A year ago at this time, the New York Giants and general manager Dave Gettleman dipped their toe in the NFL’s Supplemental Draft, coming away with cornerback Sam Beal at the price of the third-round pick.
Unfortunately for Beal, a shoulder injury ended his rookie season before it even began, but both he and the Giants remain confident that he’ll be a big-time player in the not too distant future.
Now, with the 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft approaching, the Giants once again have to ask themselves if there’s anyone worth fishing for.
Washington State defensive back Jalen Thompson was denied his final year of eligibility and will be available come July 10, and if the Giants want to look to the future, he could be an intriguing prospect and option.
Other less intriguing prospects the Giants could consider are West Virginia wide receiver Marcus Simms, Syracuse linebacker Shyhem Cullen and Northland Community College tight end Devonaire Clarington.
Of the entire group, it’s likely that Thompson and Simms are the only two actually drafted, but that’s not to say the Giants and other teams won’t poke around each of the above players.
Thompson makes the most sense for the Giants long-term, but if they do target him, they certainly won’t be alone. And much like Beal a year earlier, the cost for Thompson is likely to be in the third- or fourth-round range.
The Supplemental Draft is always a bit of a gamble, but if general manager Dave Gettleman has proven anything early in his Giants tenure, it’s that he’ll go after the players he wants.
